Foldable stereoscope device for viewing stereoscopic transparencies and prints



June 4, 1957 R. L. TURNER 2,794,367

FOLDABLE STEREOSCOPE DEVICE FOR VIEWING STEREOSCOPIC TRANSPARENCIES AND PRINTS Filed Aug. 3, 1954 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 v ATTORNEYS June 4, 1957 R. TURNER 2,794,367

- FOLDABLE STEREOSCOPE DEVICE FOR VIEWING STEREOSCOPIC TRANSPARENCIES AND PRINTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Afig. 3, i954 E 60 INVENTOR E/CHA E Q A TUE/V59,

% v ATTORNEYS June 4, 1957 R. TURNER 2,794,367

FOLDABLE STEREOSCOPE DEVICE FOR VIEWING v STEREOSCOPIC TRANSPARENCIES AND PRINTS Filed Aug. 3, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR E/CHAED L. TUENEQ ATTORNEYS Unite States Patent 6 FQLDABLE STEREOSPE DEVICE FGR VIEWING STEREOSCDPTQ TRANSPARENCIES PRENTS Richard L. Turner, Fort Myers, Application August 3, 1954, Serial No. 447,437

9 Claims. (CI. 38-29) This invention relates to stereoscopes, and more par-- ticularly to an improved foldable stereoscope adapted for viewing stereoscopic transparencies, such as color transparencies, prints and the like, the device being especially adapted to be folded up to a compact package suitable for mailing.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved foldable stereoscope device especially adapted to be folded up for mailing and to be unfolded for use, the device being simple in construction, being inexpensive to fabricate, and being easy to set up for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved foldable stereoscope device for viewing stereoscopic transparencies, such as stereoscopic color transparencies, said device being foldable to a substantially fiat compact packet especially suitable for mailing, the device having a portion thereof which is detachable from the remainder of the device, said portion containing lenscarrying members which may be employed with the stereoscope device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved foldable stereoscope device especially suitable for mailing, said device being attractive in appearance, being durable in construction, and being arranged with improved means for supporting a stereoscope slide therein, or alternatively, for accommodating strip film, if so desired.

'Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank employed to form the improved stereoscope device in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the stereoscope device folded up to define a substantially flat, rectangular packet suitable for mailing.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the packet of Figure 2 partly unfolded, preparatory to setting up the stereoscope device.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the stereoscope device partly set up for use.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the stereoscope device of Figure 4 completely set up for use and illustrating the manner in which a stereoscope slide is inserted into the receptacle provided therefor in the stereoscope device Figure 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of the stereoscope device of Figure 5 and illustrating the manner in which the adjustable lens-carrying members are mounted on the front wall of the stereoscope housing.

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 6.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which a section of strip film may be in- "ice serted through the transparency receiving receptacle defined at the rear of the stereoscope housing when the user desires to view such transparent strip film.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the stereoscope device is designated generally at 11 and comprises a generally rectangular box-like housing having the front wall 12, the rear wall 13, the bottom wall 14 and the top wall 15 foldably hinged at their longitudinal edges, the top wall 15 being provided with the end flaps 16, 16 and the front wall 12 being provided with the end flaps 17, 17, said end flaps being arranged to be received in the respective opposite ends of the box-like housing in transversely overlapping relationship to define end closures for the housing.

The rear wall 13 is provided with the longitudinal marginal flap 18 adapted to be engaged on the bottom wall 14 in the manner shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 to support the rear wall 13 in perpendicular relationship to the bottom wall 14, as illustrated.

The rear wall 13 is formed with the spaced lighttransmitting apertures 19, 19 spaced symmetrically at opposite sides of a tab element 20 formed in the central lower portion of the rear wall 13. The rear wall 13 is formed with the respective end flaps 21, 21 adapted to be folded into parallel relationship with the rear wall 13, the end flaps 21, 21 being provided with the overlapping substantially triangular end portions 22 having the sinuous edges 23, the overlapped portions 22 being formed with registering slits 24 through which the tab 20 is inserted, said tab having the enlarged head portion 25 serving to lock the flaps 21 in the positions thereof shown in Figure 5.

The respective flaps 21 are formed with the light transmitting apertures 27 which are respectively registrable with the light transmitting apertures 19 of the rear wall 13, the overlapped flaps 21 defining a receptacle for receiving a stereoscopic slide between said flaps and the rear wall 13, said slide being supported at the intermediate portion of its lower edge on the portion of the tab 20 extending between the flaps 21 and rear wall 13.

As shown in Figure 5, a stereoscopic transparency 29 may be inserted into the aforesaid receptacle, and the transparency elements 30, 30 will be disposed in registry with the light transmitting apertures 19, 27, whereas the intermediate portion of the transparency 29 will be supported on the tab 20.

The front wall 12 of the housing is formed with the symmetrically spaced viewing apertures 31, 31 which are in alignment with the respective light transmitting apertures 27, 19, the front wall 12 being formed on opposite sides of each viewing aperture 31 with the parallel, elongated slits 32, 32 for a purpose presently to be described. The corner defined between the front wall 12 and the bottom wall 14 is formed centrally with a nose-receiving opening 33, enabling the housing to be held up closely adjacent to the viewers eyes.

Designated at 34, 34 are respective lens-carrying members which may be of any desired shape, for example, being of generally oval shape in the form of an artists palette, and having the top and bottom projections 35 and 36, as illustrated in Figure 6, being the ends of simulated brushes in the palette. The lens-carrying members 34 are formed at their top and bottom marginal portions with tabs 38, 33 adapted to be engaged in the respective pairs of slits 32, 32 associated with each viewing opening 31, the tabs 38 being considerably narrower in width than the length of the slits 32, whereby the lens-carrying members 34 may be adjusted laterally, rotationally, and forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the viewing openings 31. The tabs 38, 38 are of substantial resilience, whereby said tabs frictionally engage in the slits 32 and frictionally.

. hold'the lens-carrying membersv 34 in fiaedpositionsafter said members have been adjusted in accordance with the visual requirements of the user of the device.

Each lens-carrying member r34 :iormed "with :the parallel slits 39,319 spaced .on opposite .sidesabfla lensopening 41?, r and engaged :through ithe aslits 39,39 is at rectangularlens element 41 which-isithus frictionally held overthe opening tl and-which atithessameztime cooperates. with the lens-carrying member34to rigidity theEresultant lens-carrying structure. .it willJhe understood .that the members 34 will be formed :of.sheet material, such was cardboard, plastic, .or the like, similar 'to :the sheet material employed for forming the remainder ofzthetstereoscope, and that'theilenses 41 which will :be o'frtransparent rigid material, such .:as :glass, ztransparentpplastic, for the like, :will thusrigidify the lens-carrying member-s34 when inserted through the :slits .39, .39 .in :the :manner above described, and will also serve to hold thezmernbers -34 inasubstantially flat condition. Being thusrigidified, the members-34 may be readilyladjustedlaterally, rotationally, forwardly or rearwardly relativeto'the viewing ."openings 31, in accordance with the visual requirements .of the user of the device.

e The projections 35 .and36 at the; top and bottom of the lensecarrying members '34 facilitate themanual adjustmentof the lens-carrying membersitbymroviding projecting;.abutments engageable by :the .users fingers, enabling the .user to readily 'move .the.lens=carrying members 34 'to;desired positions of adjustment.

.Referring now to Figure l, a blank, designatedgenerally at 43, of cardboard, sheet plastic material, .or similar foldable material, isemployed asthe main body of the device. .The blank 43 includes the elements of the rectangular housing comprisingthe stereoscope, as illustrated, respective panels '13, I15, 12, -and.14 forming part of the blank 43 and being detachably secured tothe remainder of the blank along. a transversescoredline 44, as illustrated in Figure 1. As shown,'the .blank .43 is also provided with the transverse .fold lines 45,46, 47, :48,

49, 50 and 51. The blank is foldable on the scored transverse line 44, said line 44 being. spacedfrom the fold line 49, and the fold lines 50 and 51'being also spacedirom each .other to define the opposite longitudinal -wallsbf the mailablepacketshown in Figure 2 when the blank 43 is folded up in a manner presently to be described.

.Between the .scoredlline44 and the foldline S is-a panel 52 which is employed for purposes -;of addressing the packet and for receiving the. required postage stamps, and-adjacent thepanel 52.is afinal panel .53 extending from the fold line 51 to the end edge154of the blank 43. The .panel 53 is scored to define .thelens-carrying members 34, 34, the scoring aroundsaid members, shown at 55, being such that the members 34, 34may be readily detached from the panel 53 by the user of the device when the packet is opened.

The fourth panel 14 is provided with respective diagonally extending slits 56, 56 at its oppositeend .portions, and the end edge 54 of the blank 43 is provided with the respective locking tabs57, 57 which are lockingly engageable in the slits56, 56 when the bodyis foldedtodefine the packet shown in Figure 2.

The tab 18 is preferably secured to the panel 14.adjacent the fold line 49 in any suitable manner, as by suitable adhesive, thereby providing a permanent connection of the edge of the panel 13 to the edge of the panel 14, but enabling the housing to' be folded flat to the position thereof shown in Figure 3. In this position therespective flaps 21, 16 and 17 are folded outwardly adjacent the housing, whereby the panels 52 and 53 may be folded around the collapsed housing and the tabs 57 may be lockingly engaged in the slits 56, providing the resultant substantially fiat, rectangular packet which is suitable :for mailing.

Q To' set up .the device, the collapsed housing is detached from the blank 43 along the scored transverse line '44-,

.leavingthaserrated, .outwardlyprojecting .edge 66, .shown in Figures 5 and 10. The blank 43 may be provided with an arcuate slit 63 at the intermediate portion of the transverse scored line 44, whereby a tab 64 will be defined at the midpoint of the serrated edge 69 when the panel portion 52 is detached from the collapsed housing portion of the blank.

The housingportion may thenbe set up, .as shownin Figure 4, and the ilaps1-16 and 17 may be transversely overlapped and insertedin the ends of the housing to define the rectangulaLbox-like structure above described. The flaps 21, 21 may then be overlapped, as above described and secured at their overlapping triangular portions 23 by means of thelocking tab'2tl.

The flaps 21 are provided at theirlower hinged portions with auxiliary, relatively small tabs 65 which are engageable with the end Wall 13 when the flaps 21 are overlapped, to :defineendsupports .'fOl:3. stereoscopic slide 29 inserted between .flaps 21,;21-andrearwall .13. The tabs .65 .also .,serve vassspacer elements to space the flaps 21, 21 awayfrom the rear Wall1-3 to ,provide sufiicient spacing between the flaps :and .rear wall 13 toreceive a stereoseope slide 29 without excessive binding -of said slide.

After thehousinghas rbeen setup, as above described, the. lens-carrying members -34-are detached from the panel 53 .and are engaged on the. front wall13 of the housing, the tabs 38, 380i theplens-carrying members 34 being engagedin the .slits32 ofthe front wall 12, as above .described. The members 134 are scored to definethe circular apertures 40 .between the respective pairs of slits 3 2, 32, whereby thescored material may be removed to define the respective apertures 40. The packet contains the rectangular lenses41, and said lenses are then inserted through'the'slits 3.2, 32, .as above described, to secure the lenses over the viewing apertures 40. This is done prior to the mounting of the lens-carrying members 34 on the front wall .12. After the members34 have been mounted on the front wall 12, said members may be adjusted laterally, rotationally, forwardly and rearwardly, as above .described,.to the ,desired positions with respect to the viewing-apertures 31, 31, in accordance with the visual requirement of the user of the device.

As shown in Figure 10, strip film 70 may be employed instead of stereoscopic slides .29, the film being inserted vertically between thelight transmission apertures '19,, 27 and-through thespacedefinedbetween a flap 21;and"the rear wall 13, as illustrated in Figure 10. The film will befrictionallyenga gedby the serrated edge 60, and will be thus supported in viewing position and-will be fixedly held untilthe position vof the strip 70 is-manually changed by .the user of the device. The 'film 70 will be further guided and properly positioned .between the registering light'transmittingapertures'19 and 27 by abutment with the tab 64 located centrally between the respective pairs of light transmission apertures 19, 27. 7 7

The tab 64 provides a convenient'means of handling the stereoscope, and also serves-as an abutment means engageable with-the edge of a strip of film 7t} to gui de said film vertically between a flap 21 and the wall13 and to accurately position the film in registry with the light transmission apertures 27, 19.

As shown in Figure 6, the slits 39 which receive the lens strips 4l are substantially'longer than the widthrof said lens strips, allowing the lens strips to be adjusted relative to the viewing apertures 40 of the lens-carrying members 34, such adjustment being v longitudinal, lateral, or rotational, intaccordance with the users visualrequirement. As above explained, further adjustment is provided by .theprovisions. for adjusting the positions of the lens-carrying members34 with respect-to the viewing apertures 31. V

While a specific embodiment :.of an improved foldable stereoscope device has been disclosed in;the foregoing description, it will be understood-thatvarious-modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined .by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A foldable stereoscope device comprising a generally rectangular box-like housing having front, rear, bottom and top Walls foldably hinged at their longitudinal edges, said front wall being formed with-a pair of viewing apertures, respective flaps foldably hinged to the side edges of said rear wall and being foldable in overlapping relation over said rear wall, the overlapping lower portions of the flaps being formed with registering slits, and means formed in the lower portion of said rear wall and being flexible to lockingly engage through the slits in the lower portions of said flaps to secure the flaps in said overlapping relation and to define a receptacle for receiving and supporting a stereoscopic slide between said flaps and said rear wall, said rear wall being formed with a pair of light transmission apertures and said flaps being respectively formed with apertures registering with said light transmission apertures.

2. A foldable stereoscope device comprising a generally rectangular box-like housing having front, rear, bottom and top walls foldably hinged at their longitudinal edges, said front wall being formed with a pair of viewing apertures, respective flaps foldably hinged to the side edges of said rear wall and being foldable in overlapping relation over said rear wall, the overlapping lower portions of the flaps being formed with registering slits, and a tab formed in the lower intermediate portion of said rear wall and being flexible to lockingly engage through the slits in the lower overlapping portions of said flaps to secure the flaps in said overlapping relation and to define a receptacle for receiving and supporting a stereoscopic slide between said flaps and said rear wall, said rear wall being formed on opposite sides of said tab with respective light transmission apertures and said flaps being respectively formed with apertures registering with said light transmission apertures.

3. A foldable stereoscope device comprising a generally rectangular box-like housing having front, rear, bottom and top walls foldably hinged at their longitudinal edges, said front wall being formed with a pair of viewing apertures, respective flaps foldably hinged to the side edges of said rear wall and being foldab le in overlapping relation over said rear wall, the overlapping lower portions of the flaps being formed with registering slits, a tab formed in the lower intermediate portion of said rear wall and being flexible to lockingly engage through the slits in the lower overlapping portions of said flaps to secure the flaps in said overlapping relation and to define a receptacle for receiving and supporting a stereoscopic slide between said flaps and said rear wall, said rear wall being formed on opposite sides of said tab with respective light transmission apertures and said flaps being respectively formed with apertures registering with said light transmission apertures, and respective end closure flaps on the ends of said top and front walls arranged to be received in the respective opposite ends of said box-like housing in transversely overlapping relationship.

4. A foldable stereoscopic device comprising a generally rectangular box-like housing having front, rear, bottom and top walls foldably hinged at their longitudinal edges, said front wall being formed with a pair of viewing apertures, respective flaps foldably hinged to the side edges of said rear wall and being foldable in overlapping relation over said rear wall, means on the lower portion of said rear wall lockingly engageable through the lower portions of said flaps to secure the flaps in said overlapping relation and to define a receptacle for receiving and supporting a stereoscopic slide between said flaps and said rear wall, said rear wall being formed with a pair of light transmission apertures and said flaps being respectively formed with apertures registering with said light transs 6 mission apertures, respective lens-carrying members, said front wall being formed with a plurality of slits adjacent each of said viewing apertures, and means on said lens carrying members engageable in said slits and arranged to secure said lens-carrying members over the respective viewing apertures.

5. A foldable stereoscopic device comprising a generally rectangular box like housing having front, rear, bottom and top walls foldably hinged at their-longitudinal edges, said front wall being formed with a pair of viewing apertures, respective flaps foldably hinged to the side edges of said rear wall and being'foldable in overlapping relation over said rear wall, means on the lower portion of said rear wall lockingly engageable through the wall portions of said flaps to secure the flaps in said overlapping relation and to define a receptacle for receiving and supporting a stereoscopic slide between said flaps and said rear wall, said rear wall being formed with a pair of light transmission apertures and said flaps being respectively formed with apertures registering with said light transmission apertures, said front wall being formed with opposing slits adjacent each of said viewing apertures, respective lens-carrying members, and opposing tabs on the lens-carrying members engageable in the respective slits and arranged to secure said lens-carrying members over said viewing apertures.

6. In a stereoscope device of the character described, a box-like housing having front, rear, top and bottom walls, means on said rear wall for receiving and supporting a stereoscopic slide, said rear wall having light transmitting apertures registrable with the respective transparencies of said slide, said front wall being formed with a pair of viewing apertures, said front wall being formed with opposing slits adjacent each viewing aperture, respective lens-carrying members, and opposing tabs on said lens-carrying members engageable in said slits and arranged to support said lens-carrying members over the respective viewing apertures.

7. In a stereoscope device of the character described, a box-like housing having front, rear, top and bottom walls, means on said rear wall for receiving and supporting a stereoscopic slide, said rear wall having light transmitting apertures registrable with the respective transparencies of said slide, said front wall being formed with a pair of viewing apertures, said front wall being formed with opposing slits adjacent each viewing aperture, respective lens-carrying members, and opposing tabs on said lens-carrying members engageable in said slits and arranged to support said lens-carrying members over the respective viewing apertures, said slits being substantially greater in length than the width of said tabs, whereby the lens-carrying members may be laterally and rotatably adjusted relative to said viewing apertures.

8. A blank of sheet material for use in forming a mailable stereoscope comprising a main body formed at one end portion thereof with four rectangular, relatively foldable panel elements arranged to define a box-like housing when folded, the first panel element having a pair of light transmission apertures and having end wings foldable thereover, said end wings having apertures registrable respectively with said first-named apertures the third panel being formed with a pair of viewing apertures, said third panel being formed With opposing slits adjacent each of said viewing apertures, the remaining portion of said body including a pair of lens-carrying portions scored to be readily detachable from said remaining portion of said body, each of said lens-carrying portions being slit at opposing peripheral portions thereof to define opposing tabs spaced to be engaged in respective pairs of said opposing slits on the third panel.

9. A blank of sheet material for use in forming a mail able stereoscope comprising a main body formed at one end portion thereof with four rectangular, relatively foldable panel elements arranged to define a box-like housing when folded, the first panel element having a pair of light transmission apertures andghaving end wings foldable thereover, "said end 'wings having apertures .registrab le respectively 'With said first-named apertures, thethird panel element being formed'with apair'ofviewingaper- 'tures, said third panel element being formed with opposing slits adjacent each of said viewing apertures, the reinaining portion of said body .includingapair of lensbarrying portions scored to be readily detachable from said'remaining portion "of 'said body, each of said lenscarrying portions :being slit at opposing peripheral portions thereof to define opposing 'tabs spaced to 'be engaged in respective pairs of said opposing slits on the third panel element, the 'fourth panel element being formed-with respective *slits at its opposite end portions,

mam

andirespe ctive locking'tabs'atthe -end of said bodyoppositesaid first panel elementrengageable in said lastmamed slits when the-body is folded.

Referenees Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 42,322,393 Richardson et a1. June 22, 1943 2,543,240 Hutchinson Feb. 27, 1951 2,696,754 Mamock Dec. 14, 1954 2,724,991 Levine Nov. 29,1955

7 FOREIGN PATENTS "710,240 Germany Sept. 8, 1941 

